Doncaster, Sept. 12, 2024 – Desert Flower, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, justified her even-money favourite status by powering to victory in the Betfred May Hill Stakes at Doncaster, maintaining her unbeaten record.
The Night Of Thunder filly, who had already won two races at Newmarket, stepped into Group Two company for the first time and confirmed her class with an impressive performance.
Though there were moments of concern two furlongs from the finish, as Ollie Sangster’s Flight appeared to be cruising comfortably in the lead, Desert Flower found extra gear when needed.
Buick, who had to push her along while Flight looked strong, soon saw his mount respond, as she surged forward and asserted her dominance in the final stages of the race. Desert Flower finished a length and a half ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s January, with Flight fading back into third place.
Following her commanding victory, bookmakers were quick to revise their odds for Desert Flower’s future prospects. Coral cut her odds for next season’s 1000 Guineas to 12-1 from 16-1, while Paddy Power slashed her Fillies’ Mile odds to 4-1 from 6-1.
Buick was full of praise for the filly after the race, noting her maturity and potential for further development. “That was very pleasing. Obviously, she’s done everything right so far, and you look at her – she’s a nice, big filly with plenty of scope for next year,” said the jockey.
He added, “She handled the ground well and came into the race very easily, which is the sign of a quality horse. She kind of confirmed what she had shown us at home and on her first two starts on the racecourse.”
Appleby’s assistant, Alex Merriam, echoed Buick’s sentiments, highlighting the filly’s professionalism and the team’s satisfaction with her progression. “We’ll take that, Will was very pleased with her. She travelled very nicely through the race and was professional,” said Merriam.
He acknowledged that while Desert Flower is not known for flashy work at home, her race performances speak volumes about her potential. “She’s done it nicely and deserves a shot at a Group One now.”
The team is now eyeing the prestigious Fillies’ Mile as Desert Flower’s next target. Despite her relative inexperience, Merriam is confident that the filly has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“We’ll go for the Fillies’ Mile and see where we go from there, but she’s a big, scopey filly, so hopefully all she’s going to do is improve,” he added. He also revealed that Desert Flower is regarded as their best two-year-old filly, indicating the high hopes the stable has for her future.
Desert Flower’s win not only solidifies her place among the top two-year-old fillies but also enhances her prospects for next season’s classics.
With her versatility across different ground conditions and her ability to finish strongly under pressure, she has all the attributes needed to continue her rise through the ranks. As her connections set their sights on the Fillies’ Mile and possibly the 1000 Guineas, Desert Flower has emerged as one to watch on the road to Group One glory.